Cyprus Defense Committee investigates safety of National Guard ammunition

The Cyprus Parliamentary Defense Committee is set to re-examine the safety of National Guard ammunition following reports regarding defective grenades. Committee Chairman Evgenios Champoullas has requested relevant documentation and meeting minutes to address potential risks, noting that the committee last discussed this matter in February. The investigation follows media reports concerning a specific batch of grenades that allegedly caused a severe accident during military training.

Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas declined to provide detailed comments, citing an ongoing legal process in Greece involving a lawsuit filed by a 25-year-old former ELDYK soldier. The victim is seeking hundreds of thousands of euros in damages from the Greek state following the amputation of his right hand and the loss of his right eye caused by a faulty grenade.

Authorities have advised caution regarding public statements while the litigation in Greece remains active. The committee aims to determine if other hazardous munitions exist within the National Guard's inventory, emphasizing the need for a thorough review of past records to ensure the safety of personnel during future training exercises.